Middle Years Program

In a nurturing and challenging environment, we empower students to become self-directed, life-long inquirers.

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP) is a purpose-built five-year program for students aged 11-16 and is delivered in international schools worldwide. Our MYP students follow a comprehensive, coherent and challenging academic program. The curriculum encourages students to make meaningful connections between their learning and the real world.

The MYP curriculum focuses on conceptual learning, as well as interdisciplinary study, encourages intercultural understanding, and shows students the value of being responsible world citizens. The programme supports students’ development of age-appropriate life skills.

IB MYP framework connects classroom pedagogical practices and content to the wider world through the Global Contexts and the Learner Profile. The individual subject areas are integrated so that students gain knowledge, understanding, and skills that are transferable across the academic spectrum, further challenging them to become independent, inquiring learners.

The MYP is academically rigorous. It challenges the students academically and develops their ability to think outside of the box, preparing them for the Diploma Program and ultimately university placement.

At DIS we teach following subjects

Three languages English, German, and Spanish are studied over the MYP years. With these languages, students improve their reading, writing, listening, viewing, speaking and creative thinking skills.

> Language and Literature - English or mother tongue German

> Language Acquisition - Learned Language of Spanish, German

> Individuals and Societies - History, Geography, Economics, and Global Issues - the focus is on the development of their research, referencing, rational argument, and critical judgment skills.

> Sciences - Experimental inquiry and reporting skills are studied within the three main science disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

> Mathematics - Numeracy and problem-solving skills are emphasized in Mathematics.

> Design - Product Design and Digital Design

> The Arts - In Visual Arts and Performing Arts, students practise their creative expression and interpretative analysis skills as well as acquire an appreciation for a wide variety of forms of theatre and art. We also teach Music.

> Physical and Health Education

> Japanese - as mother tongue

> Personal Project - Is the culmination of the IB MYP. Over an extended period of months, students will be engaged in the process of inquiry and action to achieve a goal of their own design. All Grade 10 students will complete an individual study of their choice.

Curriculum

In addition to the eight academic subjects that form the framework for student learning, students and teachers focus on the cognitive development of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, which are transferable to all areas of current and future study. These include the five skill categories of research, thinking, social, communication, and organisation.

Each year students engage in Academic labs, Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS) initiatives, Internships, Personal Projects, and an Interdisciplinary Project Week. Students are supported in applying their knowledge on a personal, local, national and international level.

We also focus heavily on language learning, especially English, German, and Spanish. With these languages, students improve their reading, writing, speaking and creative thinking skills.

For a more in-depth look at the Middle Years Program curriculum, see our MYP Guide (under revision).

You can read here how the IB MYP curriculum and the approach to teaching and learning help students develop their personal understanding, their emerging sense of self and responsibility in their community.